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Australian Property Finance (APF) says its broker academy is playing a vital role in helping attract and retain new loan writers, while also acting as a platform to promote the industry.
The academy involves a structured fortnightly mentoring session that includes presentations and role playing, which APF said has led to the emergence of broking “champions” specialising in SMSF loans, foreign loans and ‘green’ loans from responsible lenders.
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APF chief executive Nathan Swain said he developed and launched the academy in September last year as an in-house service for new brokers to complete their two-year “apprenticeship” period, but said the academy is open to all APF brokers.
“It is a forum for learning and, through the role plays in particular, negotiating and managing the tricky situations that can occur during that first two-year period,” he said.
“The academy plays an important role in integrating brokers into the APF culture, and we also see it as a platform to promote the industry as dynamic, fast-paced and rewarding, and highlight finance broking career opportunities.”
Brisbane-based broker Arthur Brown has been in the APF Academy since it began, and said it has played an important role in helping establish his personal and business goals.
“There are beneficial outcomes in having people new to finance broking together and working as one,” he said.
“And the sharing of experiences and ideas, and the support, will be ongoing.”
Mr Swain said the industry needs new quality brokers in order to sustain itself, but attraction is only part of the solution.
“We have to focus on keeping them,” he said.
“But again, that’s only part of the story. We must facilitate their growth in a profession they will view as attractive and having long-term business opportunity.
“Australian Property Finance wants brokers in business-growth mode, not business-maintenance mode, throughout their professional career.”
[Related: MFAA launches new broker traineeship]
